From an NPR broadcast...

Three states now have laws on the books that would stop bands from performing under such iconic names as the Platters, Coasters, and Drifters, among others, unless they include at least one member of the original recording group. Tribute bands are not affected. Ten other states are considering similar legislation. But who owns the rights to a name?

Listen to the full audio here

Something a little more light-hearted for discussion... should groups who use the name of an existing band be forced to have permission to do so? Or are people just really into the music, and don't care who's performing?

Recent acts where this comes to mind as an issue are KISS (with Peter and Ace in or out, depending on behaviors), Guns 'n Roses (will Axl Rose ever stop arguing?), Yes (how many different lineups have they had?). Perhaps others...

LOL...okay...when I think of truth in advertising reform, I'm thinking of food items not calling themselves natural if they're synthetic, or of video cards admitting that MX means it's slower than the other cards in language most people can understand.

This reminds me of bands like Napalm Death (15 ex members) and the Misfits (16 ex members!). When you go to see these bands, you know pretty much that they're going to consist of whoever the band happens to have found that year.

Black Sabbath's wiki breaks it down into 19 different lineups. I'd say if you're going to see someone, you're rarely going to be surprised at who's performing, and what would this law do to a rather frequent occurrence - band member gets hurt and must be quickly replaced for a tour?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Sabbath